Kukla's Korner Hockey

The organization has decided to send goaltender Rick DiPietro for an MRI examination Tuesday of the hip injury he suffered in the All-Star Game skills competition on Jan. 26.

Islanders coach Ted Nolan acknowledged DiPietro’s absence from the lineup at the morning skate Tuesday and said results of the MRI will be evaluated Wednesday.

“He’s been having it for a while,” Nolan said of DiPietro’s hip injury. “It’s the same as our team. We have nine guys out of the lineup, and we have two guys that probably shouldn’t be playing (Tuesday night). It’s one of those things where the injury bug hit us, and unfortunately, it hit Ricky.”

Sources tell TSN the New York Islander goaltender has a right hip problem that is going to require surgery. The decision was made after DiPietro underwent an MRI today. It’s expected the surgery could be performed as early as Wednesday.

For the second time in two seasons, Islanders franchise goaltender Rick DiPietro will have season-ending hip surgery. The operation will take place Wednesday at Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., an NHL source said, and DiPietro is expected to recover in time for training camp in September.